Happry Potter: The New Player

"Mother!"

Dudley grabbed his behind as he howled, staggering and running down the stairs.

Dobby seemed very pleased with his masterpiece. Leaning towards Harry, he said, "Harry Potter must not return to Hogwarts this year, I'm sorry, sir, Dobby has no other choice."

As soon as Dobby finished, he snapped his fingers and slowly disappeared, leaving the two boys alone in the room, stunned.

"I'm sorry, I hope I didn't scare you," sighed Harry.

"What was that?" Evan asked curiously.

"Dobby, the house-elf," said Harry frustrated.

"I'm done for, Uncle Vernon will kill me for this."

"But you didn't do it, and I can testify for you."

"It would be pointless, they wouldn't believe it," said Harry as he leaned against the wall trying to steady himself.

He guessed everything correctly.

Moments later, Vernon Dursley rushed up the stairs to Harry's room with a cunning expression, eyes like a demon, and ignoring Evan, he looked at Harry and shouted, "Boy, I warned you not to use magic on Dudley..."

"I didn't," argued Harry.

"Read this!" He threw a letter at Harry and said, "Take it, read it!"

While Evan watched Harry's face, he glanced at the letter, which read:

Dear Mr. Potter, we have received information that a transfiguration was used at your place of residence tonight at eight twenty. As you know, young wizards are not permitted to perform spells outside of school, and any further magical activity on your part may lead to expulsion from said school (Decree for the Reasonable Restriction of Underage Sorcery, 1875, Paragraph C). We also remind you that any magical activity that jeopardizes exposure to members of the non-magical community (Muggles) is a serious offense under Section 13 of the International Statute of Wizarding Secrecy.

Enjoy your holidays! Sincerely,

Mafalda Hopkirk

MISUSE OF MAGIC OFFICE

Ministry of Magic

Harry was left speechless as he looked up.

"You didn't tell us you couldn't use magic outside of school." There was a gleam in Vernon's eyes, "Forget it, I suppose..."

With a wicked smile, he said, "I have good news for you, boy, I'll lock you up here so you never go back to that school! If you use magic to escape, you'll be expelled!"

"Mr. Dursley, you can't do that," Evan hurriedly tried to stop him, "I can vouch for him and say he didn't do anything."

"Boy, you don't understand!" Vernon gasped as he remembered who Evan was, thanking himself for not completely losing his mind.

"I witnessed the whole process involving a house-elf," said Evan as everyone entered the room, his parents looking worried, as Dudley was in Mrs. Dursley's arms covering his behind and crying loudly.

"There's no difference..." mumbled Vernon.

Evan approached his parents and whispered something to them.

Harry stood there sorrowfully contemplating his fate.

He knew Uncle Vernon was serious. Now that they knew he couldn't use magic outside of school, he had lost his only weapon and would likely be expelled from school if caught there.

If he tried to escape using magic, he also faced expulsion. Ron and Hermione might find a way to save him, but Dobby cut off all communication with them.

Dobby could save him from the terrible Hogwarts disaster, but he has lost the only joy of his life, and he is not sure how the Dursleys will treat him, so he might starve here.

Unless Evan can help him.

Harry gained a small spark of hope upon hearing what the other was telling his parents. Evan took out a letter from his pocket and showed it to his parents.

The Masons' expressions were initially filled with astonishment, but eventually they were swayed by their son to take action. Subsequently, the Masons and the Dursleys gathered and whispered among themselves.

Suddenly, the atmosphere took on a slightly peculiar twist; Dudley ceased his sobbing and tried to eavesdrop on their conversation. Harry contemplated doing the same, but caught sight of Evan turning around to reveal a reassuring smile.

Time passed swiftly; following a heated discussion, almost half an hour later, the four adults finally reached an agreement.

"Boy, don't ask any questions, gather your belongings and depart!" bellowed Vernon Dursley, his temples pulsing with vexation.

"What?" Harry wondered if he had misheard as Uncle Vernon ushered him out of the house, whilst Aunt Petunia frowned without objection.

If Harry hadn't been certain that the Masons were Muggles, he would have thought a powerful enchantment of confusion had been cast upon the Dursleys.

"Come on, what are you waiting for?" Evan questioned as he pulled Harry along.

"What have you done, and why do I feel somewhat uneasy?" Harry asked, surprised by the smile on Evan's face.

"It's nothing; I would like to invite you to visit my house this summer."

"Are you sure?" Harry's voice rose abruptly but then subsided, "Uncle and Aunt won't agree; I can't go anywhere, they'll always keep me locked up."

"Don't worry about that; you heard your uncle just now!" Evan blinked his eyes, "My parents would be delighted to have you at our house until the end of summer, after my dad promised to set up plenty of barriers."

"Oh my goodness! Thank you, Evan!" Harry couldn't believe his luck, "I would love to, as long as I can go out, but why are you helping me; we barely just met..."

"Haha, it's nothing, but I feel like as my elder, you wouldn't mind talking to your friend about Hogwarts."

As he observed Harry's surprised expression, Evan took a letter from his pocket and said, "I need to borrow Hedwig for a moment; you know I don't have my own owl to respond to the school."

"Evan, you're actually a first-year student at Hogwarts, that's fantastic!" Harry was delighted; he never thought he'd be this fortunate.

He felt that today was his lucky day. First, he faced misfortune, but now he won't be punished, and he'll also be rid of the Dursleys a month earlier than expected. But most of all, he was truly fortunate to have met a new classmate.

"Come on, unless you want to stay to bid farewell to the Dursleys."